Collaboration characterizes preparations for Fifth Summit

As preparation for the first Americas Summit gains momentum, speculation on the proceedings and possible outcomes is coming from citizens of the region as well as political leaders.

The Organization of American States (OAS) Summits of the Americas Secretariat (SAS) has put in place several online tools to keep non-participants abreast with developments and provide a platform for sharing ideas. These include the Summits Virtual Platform (SVP).

The SVP is an online tool designed to facilitate on-going communication with social actors to contribute to making the Summit process more participatory. Townhall.america.gov, launched by the U.S. State Department, will also serve as an interactive social media hub for the Fifth Summit. Content includes video links about the Summit and conversations with regional leaders. Users will also have an opportunity to share their own ideas through online forums.

Indigenous leaders from across the hemisphere gathered in Panama on April 14-15 to discuss and prepare their perspectives on current challenges at the Third Indigenous Leaders’ Summit of the Americas (ILSA) under the theme “Implementing the Rights of the Indigenous Peoples of the Americas for Present and Future Generations.” Organized by the third ILSA Planning Committee, findings will be shared with the 34 OAS Member States at the Fifth Summit during a Dialogue with Ministers of Foreign Affairs on April 17.

Business leaders across the hemisphere gathered in Trinidad to discuss and formulate their recommendations for the Summit during their Hemispheric Meeting of the Private Sector on April 15-16. The meeting was organized by the National Secretariat of the Fifth Summit of the Americas, the Organization of American States and the Private Sector in the Americas business association. Speakers included the prime minister of Trinidad and Tobago, Patrick Manning and OAS Secretary General José Miguel Insulza.

Perspectives are being formulated on topics such as investment opportunities in infrastructure mega projects that will affect regional commerce and competition. Participants will also discuss public-private alliances and social responsibility for competitiveness. Recommendations will be based on the debate between businesspersons of the hemisphere, senior government officials and representatives of multilateral institutions. The recommendations will be presented Friday, April 17, at the ministerial dialogue between governments and private sector representatives at the Summit.

The importance of a business perspective is critical. As OAS Secretary General Insulza said, the Fifth Summit emphasizes the importance of hemispheric cooperation and of the shared commitments between the governments of the hemisphere, the private sector, and civil society. Assistant Secretary General of the OAS, Ambassador Albert Ramdin declared that the international institution will emerge stronger from the upcoming Summit. “The OAS, as the organization comprising all countries in the Americas, will be even more relevant after the dialogue among heads of state and government in Port-of-Spain,” he said. “If we want to deal with the many challenges the Americas face, countries need to work together.”